The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra is today embarking on what it calls Environmental Prayer Walk in the capital of Ghana, adding to the series of protests that has unfolded recently against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
This is being done together with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana and the Catholic Lay Faithful and Professionals.
Participants will converge at the Holy Spirit Cathedral at Adabraka and then march through Castle Road, the Old Electoral Commission Office at Ridge, the AU Roundabout, Independence Avenue, Ako Adjei Interchange, National Police Headquarters Traffic Light, Josif Broz Tito Avenue, and Jawaharlal Nehru Road, and then terminate at Christ the King Catholic Church.
The police have served notice about its preparedness for the walk.
In a statement, it said, “The Ghana Police Service wishes to inform the general public that sufficient security measures have been put in place for the planned Environmental Prayer Walk by the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, scheduled for tomorrow, 11th October 2024.”
As a result of this event, the police announced a temporary traffic interruption in the affected areas.
“The Ghana Police Service is, therefore, urging the general public, especially the motoring public to once again cooperate with the Police to ensure effective traffic management within the City.”
Protest
According to the organisers, the protest is more than just a walk as it will be a clarion call for national action to demand an end to the menace that threatens not only the environment but also the health, livelihood, and future of millions.
“The primary goal of this prayer protest walk is to raise widespread awareness about the severe consequences of galamsey on Ghana’s environment, particularly its water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands. Illegal mining has been one of the most pressing environmental and social issues in the country, with vast stretches of rivers and forests being destroyed due to the unregulated extraction of minerals like gold.”
The organisers will present a formal petition requesting the government to declare a state of emergency on mining activities, especially in environmentally sensitive areas such as river buffers, forest reserves, and regions surrounding major water bodies.
“This bold demand underscores the urgency of the situation, as many of Ghana’s rivers, including major sources of drinking water like the Pra and Ankobra Rivers, are heavily polluted with mercury and other toxic chemicals used in illegal mining operations.”
Source:opemsuo.com